GALILEO AND HIS JUDGES. 115 



analysis to geometry has facilitated calculation to an 

 extent impossible to over-estimate ; notwithstanding 

 the discovery and adoption of other and rival methods, 

 that of Descartes still holds its own, and will 

 probably do so as long as the science of mathematics 

 is cultivated. 



But as an astronomer, Descartes can be allowed 

 no such pre-eminence ; his work on Vortices was 

 actually a retrograde step, and in France it even 

 hindered for a considerable time the reception of 

 the true doctrine of universal gravitation. So that 

 we may well say if Descartes had never published 

 his book at all, physical astronomy would have 

 been the gainer rather than the loser. 



Mr. Mivart writes as if he were under some ap- 

 prehension that the Church would interfere with his 

 favourite study of biology. I believe his fears are 

 unfounded. The Koman ecclesiastical authorities 

 are doubtless conscious of the fact that there is a 

 great moral chasm between the Europe of the seven- 

 teenth century and the Europe of this day. The 

 means that were adapted for contending against 

 error, real or supposed, two hundred and fifty years 

 ago, are inapplicable in the present age. Experience 

 has shown that false scientific theories are pretty sure 

 to be demolished, time enough being allowed, either by 

 the internal dissensions of their own supporters, or by 

 the sharp criticism of the supporters of some antago- 

 nistic theory ; or, perhaps, the triumphant progress 

 of new discoveries. Works of a particularly offensive 



i 2 



